2019 Chevrolet Malibu · symptom sheet

Brakes grind, pulse or wear early

25owner reports
65,000median miles
2involved a crash

Newest report Sep 16, 2026 · checked Sep 18, 2026

25 of the 190 complaints on this car describe brake wear.

Tick what matches of 25 reports

grinding or squealing

pulsing or shaking when braking

pedal goes soft or to the floor

pads or rotors replaced early

a brake warning light

the car did not stop in time

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the booster (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the brakes covers the 2019 model year as of Sep 18, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Malibu

EA86-006opened Nov 27, 1985

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 1978 to 1981

Brake backing plate. Closed nov 28, 1988.

NHTSA summary

SUMMARY:GM IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN (85V-048)INVOLVING 2,136,826 VEHICLES. THE RECALL IS LIMITED TO VEHICLES BUILT ATCERTAIN ASSEMBLY PLANTS WHICH, ACCORDING TO GM, OVERTORQUED THE BRAKEPIPE NUT,THEREBY OVERSTRESSING THE WHEEL CYLINDER SUPPORT AREA OF THEBACKING PLATE.ANALYSIS:FRONT BRAKES PROVIDE SUFFICIENT BRAKING FOR PASSENGER CARSIN MOST NON-EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. ALL AFFECTED TRUCKS ARE INCLUDED INTHE CURRENT RECALL.IN MOST CASES THE PROBLEM IS DISCOVERED DURING BRAKEMAINTENANCE.THE RECALL APPEARS TO COVER THOSE GROUPS OF CARS WITH THEHIGHEST FAILURE RATES.STATUS:ANALYZING GM IR RESPONSE AND NEW COMPLAINT DATA. DRAFT CLOSINGREPORT BY 5/15/88.===

None of these investigations covers the 2019 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 62,000 and 84,697 miles, from the 9 reports that gave a mileage.

220

822

623

224

425

326

What owners wrote

“Due to the vacuum pump failing during driving, metal shards broke inside of the car and went into the engine destroying it completely. Now i need a whole new engine”
Filed Sep 16, 2026

“The brake booster vacuum pump went out in my car it broke which caused hard breaking while driving vehicle. When the brake booster vacuum pump broke a piece of it damage my camshaft as well as my timing chain in my motor.”
Filed Mar 18, 2026

“Brakes got hard and reduced engine power came on and now won't crank went to the dealership and then they charge me 389 for a battery and it still didn't work they say it need a new motor”
Filed Jun 7, 2025

“I have no Brake Lights when applying the Brakes and cruise control no longer works due to Service ESC message on display. I was advised by replacing the battery this would clear the ESC but it did not. I believe the service ESC message is tied into the brake lights and cruise control not working.”
Filed Nov 11, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 2 of 25 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.